Sunderland to fall silent on Armistice Day

David Allison

Wearsiders are being asked to pause for a two-minute silence and remember Armistice Day this Friday.

Armistice Day commemorates the symbolic end of World War I at 11am on 11 November 1918, with the signing of the agreement between the Allies and Germany which brought hostilities on the Western Front to an end - ' the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.'

People are invited to join the Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Alan Emerson and veterans at the war memorial in Burdon Road to observe the two minute silence remembering the sacrifice made by all those involved in conflicts throughout world history.

Maroons (explosive charges) will sound at 11am from Mowbray Park to mark the beginning of the silence at 11am, and again at 11.02am to bring the observance to an end.

The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alan Emerson said: "Servicemen and women from Sunderland have played a massive role in this country's military operations throughout history, and continue to do so.

"It's only right that we pay should tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf fighting for freedom and liberty all over the world. So we would ask everyone to stop for a moment and join us in observing the two minutes silence to remember them.

"This city is incredibly proud of our close bonds with the armed forces and we hope that people will join us again on Sunday when we hold our annual Remembrance Service and Parade."